~Lillith Xethy~


The first rays of the morning sun, slithering their way past the heavy bordeaux curtains, into the chamber of the sleeping princess. Lillith wasn't ready to wake up, not today. She didn't want that night to end, or this morning to come. Instead of a stomach full of food, she went to bed with a stomach full of anger and hatred. Another argument, another disappointment. Why did she even bother? She couldn't help herself. Afterall it was her very nature that kept urging her to ask, why she had been made a sacrificial lamb. Surely there must have been other ways to save their kingdom? Surely ... Well according to her father, no; according to her entire family, this was the only way forward. A quaint sigh escaping her lips, as she tossed herself around in her beloved brass bed. Her time alone was just about to be interrupted, familiar footsteps were closing in on her.

Three knocks ...

Her eyes shot wide open, focusing onto the beautifully hand crafted wooden door. Creaking slightly, it swung open. In the doorway stood a maid.
Magdalena, she was around 40 years old, dark complexion, round face, raven black hair that was always tied up neatly into a bun. She was of a short but sturdy nature, she could easily push Lillith around. In that matter she was the only maid that could deal with her effectively. Walking past the bed, under Lilliths stare, she placed the bowl of fresh water, soap and other necessities onto the Dresser. Stepping a few steps to her right, she grinned mischieveously before pulling the curtains back, leaving Lillith exposed to the morning suns full embrace. Grunting something, Lillith turned her back towards the window and pulled her thick duvet over her head.

"Not today Magda!" she hissed, holding on to the sheets she was laying on, she knew what was about to happen.
Instinctively, she braced herself, Magdalena was a strong woman. One heavy pull and she had lifted the heavy duvet away from Lillith who was now left with no other option to hide.

"It is time My Lady, we have a lot of preparations to do", Magda replied, folding up the Duvet with a few swift motions.

Tiat sighed as he woke up, he had, yet again, fallen alsleep beside his young charge's bedroom door. He had been guarding her from outside of her bedroom, telling himself he would go to bed at 12pm, but instead he had sat down beside the door and fell asleep there.
"Why i am i always so iresponsible? My charge could have been killed in the time i was asleep" he sighed heavily again and got up, his armour clinking and clanking as he pushed up, a small pain went up his back, but he bounced it off, it was normal now for his back to hurt like that.
He wacthed as the maid of princess Xethy, Magdalena, walked into her room, he stutinised her before letting her through with a short nod, making no comment as she walked in. He remembered that today was the day that his charge would be wed to one of a different reigon
"Feh..." he sneered as he held his sword scarbbard "if any of them try to hurt the princess they will become a new blood stain on my sword"

Several horns sounded, lines of honor guarded marched before a carriage pulled by ten black stallions. The ornate metalwork on armor and carriage alike gave off which kingdom it belonged to fairly bluntly. Such strange clockwork and gothic mannerism could only belong to the industrial kingdom of Bel’Thras a rather powerful kingdom that held in its arsenal some of the most deadly of weapons from trebuchets to strange tubes stolen from the Dwarves known as cannons. The Honor guard maintained their formation their banners held high as the group entered the castle walls. A well polished boot descended from the carriage, it lightly touched the earth with its tip before coming down fully. Silken black slacks lead up to a fine dress shirt and black coat . His white gloved fingers tightened their second skin casually as Zakia began to make his way towards the castle. Two women followed closely behind him, the two seemed to look identical in every way which might lead one to assume that they’re twins. Also due to their calm expressionless faces, muscular frames, and clear skill that they were also his bodyguards.

As Zakia passed the castle’s threshold he gave a light wave and his honor guard first stabled the horses and put the carriage in a proper area before they headed down into town. The lord inquisitor moved quickly through the castle finding his host King Draconis, or His lordship William Xethy of Axandra. “If it is not King Draconis, I see your family line has done well even amidst the war and past famines. Though let us skip formalities I have traveled far your lordship, and I have come from Bel’Thras to court your daughter.” He said with a bow.

“I see…Bel’Thras is quite a ways away… so please good boy retire to your room… we will discuss these whole arrangements at supper.”

“Thank you good ser.” Zakia was shortly escorted to his quarters where his body guards took position on either side of the entrance, here he laid his head to rest it had been far to long of a journey… far to long since he could sleep.

Ilanna was sitting on the floor of the grand ballroom with a piece of expensive cloth laid before her. She was doing honest work this day. She had expensive paints near her and she very carefully, very slowly, painted one of the many tapestries that would be a backdrop to the grand ball. Her long hair was braided and under her shirt, to stay out of the way of her eyes and her hand painted gracefully like a dancer on ice.
She had been up before dawn. She was a thief and a spy, but she took great pride in her work as an artisan as well, she was one of the best in the land, or at least to herself she was. Her clothes hugged her body, not the clothes of a modest woman, but when painting, dresses and blouses just got in the way. She was alone in the ballroom, and loved the fact she had free access to come and go here as she pleased, she could use it as an alibi if she found a mark, but she hadn’t found a really good one yet.
She hummed softly to herself, a gypsy playful tune, as she painted, lost in the moment for now. The sun shined on her hair, displaying all the colors and highlights of her hair, turning her pale face a light gold. She heard the fanfare outside and grew curious and got up. She looked out the window just before the strange new man went inside. She may have been a thief, but as she looked at the strange man and the two women behind him, she knew he would be more trouble then fun as a mark.
She sighed, she would make some good money doing this job, but it wasn’t money that greased her gears, she wanted adventure and fun, and while being an artisan and musician paid well, it was soooo boring. She sat back down in front on the cloth. It was huge and she only just begun, she had a long way to go so she wouldn’t only have few hours inbetween work and sleep to snoop.

Several horns along with flutes, trumpets, drums, and few rather more exotic ones imported from half a continent away played as an honor guard of ten horsemen and fifteen footmen rode before a carriage approaching Draconis Castle. As though to contrast with the previous entourage, this carriage and honor guard were wrapped in bright colors, mostly red and gold, although purple and green snuck themselves in here and there. These bright colors, the occassional white or black elf or Anubian within the guard, as well as the cheerful beat of the orchestra behind the carriage clearly marked them as emissaries from the Kingdom of Valorum, a kingdom built on trade with its chief city of Illium upon beside a narrow strait that connected the Eastern and Crimson Seas, gifting the city with tolls upon safe passage through its territory, a respected power, though eyed with bemusement or outright suspicion at how a few non-human merchants gained riches and status within the kingdom.

Within the carriage, a bored-looking young man with strikingly teal hair and red eyes gazed at the gathered crowd unenthusiastically while an older White Elf stared at him in exasperation. The golden haired man shook his head, "Honestly, Prince Atton, you've longed to travel outside Valorum all your life and when you finally do, you're moping."

"I wanted to travel the world, Master Kato. See new, interesting things. Not go from once castle to another to marry someone I've never met," the young prince complained, sounding younger than he really was, though that had always been a case with him. It wasn't his personality, per-se, but the way he grew. A late bloomer, his father said, though Atton liked to think of this as yet another piece of evidence that he was somehow different from others, not that he needed any proof.

"Furthering the influence of the kingdom is a prince's a job, Prince Atton. Besides, I'm sure you'd like her. I haven't met a young lady you haven't liked," the tutor said dryly.

"I can't help that I'm naturally lovable," the prince said brightly.

Sure enough, the carriage finally reached the castle, causing Atton to grin as he stepped out of the carriage, basking in the castle's servants' and guards' reaction to his unusual looks before entering the castle along with his tutor and a couple of his guards. Sure enough, just passed the Entrance Hall, was King Dronis. Or was it William? Maybe he'd call him Drilly? Master Kato shot his charge a look that told him the elf had read his mind.

"Might I present His Highness, Prince Atton Contarin of Valorum," the older man announced and Atton idly wondered if his reputation had reached this kingdom. He hadn't been given the title "The Wild Prince" for nothing, an epithet both disparagingly referring to his looks, possible blood status, and his own eccentric actions. As per etiquette, he gave the king a short bow.

"Greetings, top of the morning, and, as the Orks say, "Uk-Kluk", your highness," he greeted, earning a reproachful look from his tutor.

"I apologize for the Prince. It has been a long journey and no doubt has travel fatigue," the elf stated, almost growling out the last part of the sentence.

“Ah the kingdom of Valorum…I did not expect many trade cities as they tend to prefer neutrality… but you are welcomed to Axandra all the same.” King Draconis cocked a brow at the young prince. “I see… my people are more common with ‘Dura’Khan‘… or the orkish command to Kill them all… seeing as were based against the Dwar’vic mountain… we have an army of the bastards held back by a mountain… constant raiding parties striking at our lands… so it would be appreciated not to mention such beasts.” He looked between the white elf and then back at the prince. “Very well” He waved a servant coming up to the group. “Escort the prince to his room.” The servant bowed before leading them on.

~Lillith Xethy~

The princess was about to take a seat by the dresser when she got distracted by the sound of loud horns, blaring through the morning air. An eyebrow raised, she walked over to the window. To her dismay it was one of the suitors her father had been talking about for weeks now. A jolt of anger crept up upon her, eyes closely watching the spectacle unfold. What could she do? Run away? More than once she had thought of it, but were they really just going to give her away? A sarcastic chuckle did escape her lips on that thought, she could always refuse them. One day they had to get tired of her, surely a proper prince wouldn't be able to handle a stubborn woman as herself. He'd be terrified of her! Lillith wasn't the picture-perfect princess, her manners were alright, but her temper was something no man could ever cope with, or let's say deal with; without losing his posture or face.

Lillith threw the people at the forecourt one last glance, before she returned to her dresser. Reaching for her brush she started to comb through her hair, eyes fixated upon her reflection. She had always wondered who she looked more like, her father or mother. To her, she didn't look much like either one of them, which had worried her a little bit. Though she always placed it as an irrational, paranoid thought, yet from time to time it made her think. What if she wasn't of their blood. It may very well be the reason as to why they were so easy to go ahead with her wedding preparations, while she couldn't stand the thought of it. Shaking her head literally, she chased those thoughts out of her head for now. She needed a clear head, and no doubt filled clouds hanging over her. After a few more strokes she placed the silver comb back to its original place, leaning over for her jewelery case. Her Tiara of course, no princess walks the earth without one on her head!

Placing the delicate crystals onto her head she felt a bit of guilt, she has had a wonderful life so far. Should she not think of the greater good for her people and their kingdom? After all, this is happening so peace and unity could be restored in the land. Was she being a selfish, horrible individual? Sighing out loudly, she got up to take a look at the dress she was wearing. The creme silk, stitched up with pearls and the beautiful white lace was only accentuating her slightly tan complexion. A low hem line, with an empire cut was all the rage at the moment. Giving herself an approving nod, she made her way to the door. A loud clicking, followed by the creaking sound of that year old door made Lillith cringe. Mumbling something about the maintenance staff, she gave Tiat a nudge.

"Old man, why don't you do as I told you! Do not sleep in front of my door, go to your quarters!!!!" her voice echoing through the hallway - she did have quite the voice.

"Ah, hello princess Xethy" Tiat said as he saw the princess walk out of her room. In the time that he had served his charge he had gotten slightly used to her personality, though sometimes she did cause the occasional surge of annoyance in him. He snickered "so i am an old man huh? You know in my kingdom i am thought to be in my prime" he smiled "yes at once princess..." he bowed and then started to walk away, to the main hall "oh yes... i know you know this and sorry if i sound like an old fool but be careful ok?" with that he left

"Well, I hope you're happy," Master Kato told Prince Atton sourly as they reached his room, "You do know that you just decreased your chances of getting married to this particular bride."

"Why? Doesn't the bride typically make the decision?" Atton asked, playing dumb.

"Don't try me, boy. I can still whip your backside," the old man growled.

Atton nodded respectfully. He was trying his tutor's patience. Truthfully, the two should have parted when he finished his lessons, but the old man was the only one with any hope of reining him in, save for a wife, of course, which explained this trip quite a deal, actually. He stuck out his tongue at the thought of marriage.

"Please tell she isn't going to bore me about dresses or gossip, is she?" he asked. The White Elf gave a noncommittal grunt.

"All I've heard about Princess Lilith Xethy is that shes' very beautiful and a respectable woman."

"Right. Because there are hardly any families that say that about the daughter they're trying to wed." Kato gave him a stern look.

"Now you listen here, Prince Atton. It is your duty to pursue this suit to the utmost of your ability. Axandra can prove to be a fine ally both in war and peace. Your life can't be all fun and games and I hardly think any commoner off the street would treat marriage to a beautiful young lady as a bad thing," the White Elf lectured, causing Atton to frown. He was right. As usual.

"Alright. I just hope she's a pleasant person," the Wild Prince muttered.

Zakia sat idly on his bed his mind delving deep into itself… questioning everything that was happening. Why was he here… hundreds of miles across the continent to try and steal some young harlots hand in marriage. Their should be people to do such non-sense for him. Though at the very least she might be some fun for a night or two. Though maybe it would be fun to toy with her mind… and then break her or maybe keep her as a pet… it didn’t matter, in the end he would win… he always won. He stood up walking to the wash room and stripping down before stepping over to a large black stove set into the wall. Which he lit with a snap of his fingers. Which warmed a metal pipe directly above it. After starting heat source he entered the shower chamber and turned the lever that pumped water through the pipes. The Hot water traveled over the stove heating it, while the cold water flowed through heavy insulation which kept it frosty. He would clean the filth of traveling past this cities commoners… such cattle to be used like any cattle.

James stepped in front of Tiat as the knight began to leave. “Asleep at your station again Tiat… isn’t that a little… dishonorable? Now you go off to leave your charge alone. You need to remember your place… if the King was to find out about your lax behavior it would not end well… ah and good morn my lady.” He said bowing to Xethy. “While Tiat takes time to rest I guess I shall be looking after you.”



Eberous shuffled out from a crawl space looking at the strange foreign prince. “Oh… Hello bi-pedal mammal formally known as human. According to my calculations you are a minuet earlier then you should with the wind direction, the current heat, and percentage of bandit raids. Though with the margin of error I guess it fits still either way I must change out your light orbs… Oh… yes of coarse formalities I am Eberous how are you?” the small creature said as he hoped up onto an end table taking a strange orb from a wall socket and putting a second one from his belt to replace it.

Tiat looked at James in an almost unsure way. He knew James enough not to distrust him but was still weary around him. I mean the man had thought dragons, for christ sake. Tiat would most likely beat James in a fight, but didn't want to start anything in front of the princess. In truth Tiat was a small bit jealous of James as he had come here of somewhat freewill while Tiat had been somewhat forced by his own blood line.
Though the dishonourable part of Jame's speech drove Tiat almost off the edge of anger. An honour blood being called dishonourable was like calling a wolf a new born puppy, it was disrespectful.
"Fine... i leave the princess in your care" suddenly he whispered into Jame's ear, in a somewhat venomous voice "but if you so much as let anyone harm a hair on her head i will cut you into a million pieces and scatter them across the four winds... and if you think me dishonourable i will gladly fight you to show my honour... do not trip on your own words James..." he raised his head again and said "i shall see you late Princess Xethy... please forgive my laxness... it shall never happen again" with that he walked off again, leaving the two behind.

James cocked a brow “Oh, I see what great triumphs have you faced boy? I’ve fought and slain dragons… fought against demons, and lain to waste undead… many self righteous people have found my blade is to much for them to hope to meet. I accept your challenge boy… one on one… Ser Maldrei” He said motioning another knight. “Guard the princess while I teach this vermin his place. We are the light that stands upon the sea of darkness, the guardians of the weak and Sheppard of the fallen. I hope you remember your own people’s war chant? Haven’t been away from the holy land to long have you? Its said those who stray from holy ground will know only dishonor… upon themselves and their family.”

Master Kato blinked in surprise at the strange creature that appeared before them. A gnome. It had been ages since he had met one. Gnomes tended to avoid Valorum since the politics between nobles and merchants in Illium proved to be rather illogical. Atton, on the other hand, looked positively delighted to meet him. He gave the gnome as sweeping bow.

"Well met, Eberous. I'm well. Just here to court a woman I don't really know and convince her to marry me over what's-his-name. How are you?" he asked.

"That's Lord Zakia. And he's a foul man, Prince Atton. Tread lightly with him. I have heard many a whisper that contradicts his reputation for "justice"," Kato scolded.

Tiat barely heard as James talked to him of a challange
"Who are you calling a boy? I simply say i am older than you and do deserve some respect... i also say that you also deserve respect for your acts of heroism... i meant no disrespect but a person who calls one of my kind dishonourable, no matter of what valour or power, is in itself the worst insult" he turned completely, his helmet slit showing his eyes, they were noticably angry but not so much that it could not be suppressed "and i wish you not to ask of personal matters to me or my family that you yourself know nothing of!" he growled
Oh, vermin am i... hmmph... i wish us honour bloods had turned against humans sometimes... "and so let us fight a friendly macth..." he drew his sword and got into battle postion "since you say i am not one of my kind i will make my own chant... I will fight for my life and my charge, that is my right and my duty"

The Gnome shrugged. “Oh arranged bindings between a xy and a xx most fascinating indeed. I had assumed most races had ended such barbarous practices as they generally lead to poor lives and bad offspring. Though I guess in a time like this one is as likely to sell their own children for a slice of… sweet delicious freshly baked apple pie topped with cream.” The creature sad extending his index finger strait upwards. “Yes everyone simply wishes to sell their blood for bigger and bigger slice of the pie but they never realize they never washed their hands… so their grubby hands are dirtying the pie and in the end no one will want it… though that seems a bad analogy as it has nothing to do with why you’re here… peace I hear… the end of illogical battles and replaced with illogical life.”



James nodded drawing a concealed dagger from beneath his chest plate. “My sword is to long to work properly in here… so I’ll use my side arm. As for why I call you boy… you may be old physically but your current actions I must see your honor first hand. Take the first move.”

"I disagree. That' the best analogy someone has made for this situation, ever," Atton commented, earning a glare from his teacher. He grinned a bit, already warming up to this creature, "So, what can you tell me about this princess? If I'm going to woo her and marry her, I should know what she's like so I can try to at least get along with her."

"That is the most prudent thing you've said all day," Master Kato noted dryly.

~Lillith Xethy~

Lillith gave James an acknowledging nod. She was used to the two having a pick at each other, the princess had known both for quite sometime now. Shaking her head she made off, leaving the two to argue, she had other things on her mind. Walking through a few hallways, she made her way to the grand hall, where she had heard an artisan had taken refuge. Not hesitating for a minute, she pushed the heavily decorated wooden doors open. Eyes scanning the area, as she walked in, leaving the doors behind her wide open. The sound of her own footsteps hallowing throughout the humongous hall, the colorful walls, richly embellished. It was truly a sight to behold, for anyone seeing it for the very first time, it must have been a breath taking experience.

There in a far corner of the room she was, busily painting something that looked like one of the many tapestries hanging from the castle walls. A warm smile gracing her face as she approached the woman on the floor.

"Pardon me, I don't mean to interrupt ..." her hands folded neatly in front of her, fingers interlaced, she couldn't help but appreciate craftsmen or women. It was something amazing to her, Lillith herself was useless with a painting brush. She had tried and failed more than once, knowing how hard and difficult it could be, this form of art was her favorite.

"I honestly wish I could produce something as beautiful as this", pointing at the womans painting. "Oh, I am ever so sorry, I haven't introduce myself at all, where are my manners?" she giggled a bit nervously, "I am Lillith." She smiled at her, before kneeling down next to her, "May I watch you for a little while? Only if you don't mind".
If she met someone new, Lillith had a tendency to leave the royal title behind her, for in the kingdom of Axandra she was only known as Princess Xethy. Hardly anyone addressed her as Lillith.

"Hmm... i see... you are indeed somewhat more wise than me... then again i have been stuck in this castle most of my life" Tiat sighed as he saw th princess leave "ok, let's go" with that he stepped forward quickly and made a trust motion, he knew the side arm was a dagger, so it would be hard hitting with his sword.

Ilanna at first had rolled her eyes at being interrupted, she needed to lock those damn doors, but seeing the princess she hid the fact that the gears in her head were turning. Oh she knew the princess alright, it helped a thief to know all of the big wigs. “Oh it’s fine, you can watch, just watch the tapestry, whoever is paying for this won’t like it if I have to start from scratch, this cloth is quite expensive” she grinned a wicked grin at the princess. She loved it when she worked it out they paid for everything upfront.

She sat up and looked at the tapestry, critiquing it. This was a ball for romance, and it was for the princess, so the background was a scene of beauty and outdoors, with flowers, princesses seemed to like that. Ilanna smiled, wouldn’t it be funny to paint a satyr chasing a nymph, oh, the scandal! Ilanna giggled a little then quickly apologized, “I am sorry Lilith, not laughing at you, just the mischievous ideas in my head”.

“Really… hmmm… Oh the Princess yes uh well shes a very scary person who towers over me… like most of you bipedal oversized mammals of exceptional height. Of coarse I guess she’s alright when it comes to her people and she may seemscaryatfirstbutyoucanreallygettoknowhershesnotbadatallthoughshe seemstogetannoyedslightlywhenItalkingnomishtonguesoitsratherdifficulttotalktohersometimes.” The gnome exhaled before taking in a deep breath. “Thoughasyousaidyourasuitorwhichmeanstelling youtomuchwouldbeccheating… so I can’t tell you muchbecausethenI’dbeintrouble forhelpingacompetitionwhenIwasspecificlytoldnotto!”



James moved his dagger forward striking the sword hurtling towards him on its tip and using its momentum and the much better leverage he had with his dagger then the outstretched sword to send it sideways before he attempted to ram his shoulder into the Honor Blood’s stomach followed up by two quick thrusts towards his side.

Tiat barely reacted at the thump to the chest, jumped, spinning the blade around with him only taking one gash from the dagger slashes. He then jumped above James and kicked him with his left foot, landing again behind him.

James smirked using the momentum of the kick to help him roll out of Tiat’s range of attack. “Not bad…” He twirled his dagger before moving forward again quickly he raised his dagger in defense as he moved to attack with three quick and short slashes

Tiat ran forward to attack James, his sword at a defensive postion. At the last moment though he dropped down and did a roundhouse kick, swing his sword for a double whammy then using the momentuem of the attcak to hurl himself away from Jame's range and getting up.

“Checkmate…” James said jumping as Tiat tried to sweep out his legs, and then landed on Tiats sword so he was crushing the honor blood’s fingers. “I got you.” He quickly sent forth a kick the opposite way so Tiat’s momentum drive which would have lead him to safety was combined with the force of James’ armored boot.